Hi,

I've only had my car a few weeks, but I just noticed this today. Under hard acceleration from 20mph or so, the car just kinda stalls out and won't down shift or really accelerate. The tach kinda hovers around 3000-3500 and I feel a couple of "bounces" (for lack of a better term) where it's like the car wants to shift but doesn't.

Where should I start investigating?

Car is stock, A4 w/350.

 

take it easy. at 20 mph the transmission has probably already slid into second gear. if you floor it the trans is trying to catch up but you're giving it too much gas. this trans likes to be upshifted with steady throttle not the 20 mph and hit it type. the bumps you're feeling are the trans probably trying to figure out what the heck to do cruise at 20 or jam to a lower gear to accelerate.
investigate the driving style first. if it upshifts nice with steady throttle to it it is probably o.k....

 

Thanks for the input. I'll do some more driving to see if it was just me being too aggressive.

 

Hey! 82 TA with a 3 speed auto behaving exactly as you described. Shifts fine when i take acceleration easy, but if i really try and get from 0-85 as quickly as possible, the trans has trouble upshifting and wavers at 3-3500 rpm until i let off the gas. Did your driving style adjustment solve the issue permanently for you or did you find any sort of malfunction that was causing it?

anyone else have any thoughts about why she isnt shifting reliably?

 

For all I know you could have any number of problems but If I were you I'd be prepared; Sounds like you're tranny might be about to completely fail. ( most would - and should - already call your symptoms a 'bad tranny'. ) Plan ahead,....... at least shop around a little for a rebuild or replacement because you might need it sooner,..... not later !

 

Good advice i’m sure. I will start preparing for the inevitable, though i do dream of swapping in a manual.

I’m a novice when it comes to auto transmissions though. Would love to hear theories as to what aspect of the trans would be failing to cause this symptom, just so I can learn. Anyone have any thoughts? I was excited to hear someone was having virtually the same symptoms. Maybe its a semi common issue?